ATLANTA — A recently published report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed one in eight public pools in the United States were closed in 2008 due to contamination and other problems, The Associated Press reported.
The study, the largest ever conducted on the topic by CDC, was based on 120,000 inspections of public swimming pools in 2008, the article stated.
According to CDC, there are about 15 to 20 annual outbreaks of pool-related illnesses, 25 percent of which are caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites that should have been killed by proper pool treatment and chlorination.
Fecal particles are a common factor, but urine is especially concerning as it contains nitrogen that depletes the chlorine supply in pools, according to the story.
"We definitely need to focus on improving pool operations," said Michele Hlavsa, chief of the CDC’s swimming pool program.
To read the entire article, click here.
For related information, click here.
